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Health Food (health + food)
Selected AbstractsHealth food versus fast food: the effects of prey quality and mobility on prey selection by a generalist predator and indirect interactions among prey speciesECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Micky D. Eubanks Summary 1. In order to understand the relative importance of prey quality and mobility in indirect interactions among alternative prey that are mediated by a shared natural enemy, the nutritional quality of two common prey for a generalist insect predator along with the predator's relative preference for these prey was determined. 2. Eggs of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were nutritionally superior to pea aphids Acyrthosiphum pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae) as prey for big-eyed bugs Geocoris punctipes (Heteroptera: Geocoridae). Big-eyed bugs survived four times as long when fed corn earworm eggs than when fed pea aphids. Furthermore, only big-eyed bugs fed corn earworm eggs completed development and reached adulthood. 3. In two separate choice experiments, however, big-eyed bugs consistently attacked the nutritionally inferior prey, pea aphids, more frequently than the nutritionally superior prey, corn earworm eggs. 4. Prey mobility, not prey nutritional quality, seems to be the most important criterion used by big-eyed bugs to select prey. Big-eyed bugs attacked mobile aphids preferentially when given a choice between mobile and immobilised aphids. 5. Prey behaviour also mediated indirect interactions between these two prey species. The presence of mobile pea aphids as alternative prey benefited corn earworms indirectly by reducing the consumption of corn earworm eggs by big-eyed bugs. The presence of immobilised pea aphids, however, did not benefit corn earworms indirectly because the consumption of corn earworm eggs by big-eyed bugs was not reduced when they were present. 6. These results suggest that the prey preferences of generalist insect predators mediate indirect interactions among prey species and ultimately affect the population dynamics of the predator and prey species. Understanding the prey preferences of generalist insect predators is essential to predict accurately the efficacy of these insects as biological control agents. [source] The evolution of health food: Erewhon bursts the plain brown wrapperDESIGN MANAGEMENT REVIEW, Issue 1 2001Nick Zarkades From a hand-made look appropriate to the shelves of natural food stores to a more mainstream, supermarket orientation calling out health benefits and natural ingredients, to a brand-focused strategy that emphasizes the breadth and identity of the product line, the packaging for Erewhon natural cereals has,over the past two decades,undergone dramatic transformations. Nick Zarkades, Cynthia Davis, and Charles Verde outline this design metamorphosis and the business decisions driving the changes. [source] Combating deceptive advertisements and labelling on food products , an exploratory study on the perceptions of teachersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 3 2003Wai-ling Theresa Lai Yeung People are becoming more health conscious nowadays, but most of them are not able to adopt a lifestyle with adequate physical exercise and a healthier eating pattern. Many attempt to compensate by taking ,health foods'. Despite the recent economic recession, the functional food market expands rapidly in Asian countries. Recent statistics indicate a huge increase in weight loss and functional food product advertising expenditure in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. In a massive survey conducted by the Hong Kong Consumer Council, it was found that 85% of the medicines, health food and therapies sampled contain questionable claims and misleading messages (Consumer Council, 1999). In fact, young people do not understand much about modern food processing, in particular those present in low energy and functional foods, and they know very little about the modern food marketing strategies. The situation is detrimental to consumer welfare especially to the younger generation. This study attempts to reflect critically on the implications of these issues for the health and well-being of young people in Hong Kong. It explores directions for designing relevant and effective education programmes to empower young people in understanding food advertising strategies and making informed decisions on food choice. The paper will begin with a critical review on the current situation in Hong Kong. An interview survey on preservice and in-service teachers' perception towards misleading food advertising and labelling will then be reported. The situations at schools will be defined and problems faced by teachers in providing relevant consumer education programmes to students will be identified. Finally, the study will look to the future, with a view to developing students' critical skills in evaluating claims offered in food advertisements. [source] In vitro study on antioxidant activities of peanut protein hydrolysateJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2007Gui-tang Chen Abstract Peanut protein was hydrolysed with a commercial protease, Alcalase 2.4L, and the resulting hydrolysate was investigated for its antioxidant activities, including the ability to inhibit the autoxidation of linoleic acid, the scavenging effect on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, the reducing power and the inhibition of liver lipid oxidation. As compared with the peanut protein, peanut protein hydrolysate showed strong inhibition of the autoxidation of linoleic acid, to scavenge DPPH free radical and showed strong reducing power. Moreover, peanut protein hydrolysate also displayed noticeable inhibition of liver lipid autoxidation and lipid oxidation induced by H2O2 or Fe2+in vitro. All these effects of the sample were concentration-dependent. These results suggest that peanut protein hydrolysate could be a suitable natural antioxidant and may be a health food for humans. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Preparation and functional properties of extracts from bee breadMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 3 2004Takeshi Nagai Abstract Three extracts, namely hot-water fraction (HWF), water-soluble fraction (WSF), and ethanol-soluble fraction (ESF), were prepared from fresh bee bread imported from Lithuania. The protein and total phenolic contents of these samples were very high. Among them, WSF at 100% concentration showed the highest antioxidative ability and scavenging ability. On the other hand, ESF at 10% concentration possessed the highest ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. Bee bread will apply more and more as health food and medicine due to its functional properties such as antioxidative ability and scavenging activities of reactive oxygen species. [source] Goat milk acceptance and promotion methods in Japan: The questionnaire survey to middle class householdsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Takeyuki OZAWA ABSTRACT A consumer questionnaire conducted with the purpose of ascertaining the acceptability of goat milk and related products in Japan was carried out on 345 guarantees of Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University in December 2006. 275 effective responses (79%) representing middle class urban households were returned. The results revealed that (1) 30% of respondents have experienced drinking goat milk and only 10% are aware of the current retail situation of goat milk and related products; (2) over 70% of goat milk drinkers raised goats by hand at some point in their past and their first experience drinking goat milk was in infancy; (3) those with experience in drinking goat milk expressed a vague evaluation and minimal understanding of drinking goat milk; (4) respondents who were inexperienced goat milk drinkers expressed a strong desire to taste and a weak desire to purchase goat milk; (5) respondents expressed low recognition regarding retailed goat milk products, but those who had already purchased goat milk products expressed a high evaluation and strong desire to purchase these products again; and (6) recognition of goat milk characteristics is low, but those with high recognition also rate goat milk highly. Goats are perceived as being ,mild and familiar.' It is necessary for those who manage goat husbandry to present goat milk and related product tasting opportunities to consumers. The key point is to make the functional differences between cow and goat milk clear and present the advantages of goat milk at the fore of this promotion. Goat milk should not be promoted merely as a drink that is similar to cow milk, but must be positioned as a functional drink or health food in order to expand the Japanese goat milk market. [source] EFFECTS OF PRUNE EXTRACT ON BLOOD PRESSURE ELEVATION IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2007Hiroko Negishi SUMMARY 1Prunes are recognized as a health food. They contain large amounts of phenolics and show high anti-oxidant activity. In this study, both hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion were scavenged by prune extract in electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis. 2In angiotensin II challenged vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was decreased in caffeic acid-treated cells compared with the control. 3After 5 weeks of prune extract treatment, the elevation of blood pressure in the prune extract-treated SHRSP was suppressed in comparison with the control group. 4Our findings suggest that prune extract may contribute to the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. [source] Common edible insects and their utilization in ChinaENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009Xiaoming CHEN Abstract This paper reviews the common edible insects and their use in China. One-hundred and seventy-eight insect species from 96 genera, 53 families and 11 orders are commonly eaten in China. Preparation of edible insects includes frying, braising, stewing, stewing after frying, boiling and roasting. The insect forms eaten range from eggs to adults; however, in restaurants most are larvae and pupae. More than 50 species have been analyzed for their nutritive elements and nutritional value and these data are reviewed here. Insect health foods sold in the Chinese market are also briefly discussed. [source] ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF WATER EXTRACTS FROM PARCHING GREEN TEAJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2010SHENG-DUN LIN ABSTRACT Cold and hot water extracts (2, 6 and 10%) were prepared from parching green tea and its antioxidant properties studied and potential antioxidant components determined. Yields of hot water extracts (17.53,28.63%) were significantly higher than those of cold water extracts (13.34,16.14%). The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values in antioxidant activity and reducing power were 2.17,2.75 and 0.22,0.30 mg/mL, respectively. Scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals were comparable. EC50 values in scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals and chelating ability on ferrous ions were 3.31,4.54 and 1.63,3.09 mg/mL, respectively. Contents of total phenols were 220.52,339.83 mg/g whereas those of total catechins in cold and hot water extracts were 130.22,146.28 mg/g and 136.40,191.33 mg/g, respectively. Based on the results obtained, hot water extracts were more effective in antioxidant activity, reducing power and scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals but less effective in chelating ability on ferrous ions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Tea is one of popular drinks in the world. The consumption of green tea is especially popular in Asia, mainly for its health benefits. Parched tea is a Chinese style green tea, which is different from the Japanese style steamed tea. Recently, the tea prepared by brewing tea leaves in cold water has become a new choice in Taiwan in addition to traditionally hot water-brewed tea. Results from this research, the cold and hot water extracts of green tea are good antioxidant. Besides, green tea is also reported to reduce serum cholesterol levels and inhibit hypertension, mutagenesis, and tumourigenesis in several experiments in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the extract of green tea has the potential to be developed into new health foods, and the cold brewing would be a new alternative way to make a tea. [source] The current global status of chinese materia medicaPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2009Liu Xinmin Abstract The Chinese government has recently established a national project to improve the standards of Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) products, particularly regarding their quality control and safety evaluation, in order to promote modernization and increase international trade. In 2006, the global sales value of Chinese medicinal products increased to 20 billion US$, and the export value of CMM was up to more than 1 billion US$. However, the standard of these products still needs to be improved to meet the more stringent requirements of the international markets. Over the past decade we have witnessed the increasing growth in popularity of health foods and herbal medicinal products, especially Chinese Materia Medica products (CMM). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rhodiola rosea: A Versatile AdaptogenCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2005Farhath Khanum ABSTRACT Rhodiola rosea (rose root) belonging to the family Crassulaceae is a popular medicinal plant in Russia, Scandinavia, and many other countries. Extracts of the roots of this plant have been found to favorably affect a number of physiological functions including neurotransmitter levels, central nervous system activity, and cardiovascular function. It is being used to stimulate the nervous system, decrease depression, enhance work performance, eliminate fatigue, and prevent high-altitude sickness. Most of these effects have been ascribed to constituents such as salidroside (rhodioloside), rosavins, and p-tyrosol. It has also been found to be a strong antioxidant and anticarcinogen due to the presence of several phenolic compounds. Adaptogens are plant extracts that allow an organism to counteract adverse physical, chemical, and biological stressors by generating nonspecific resistance. Adaptogens are known to increase the availability of energy during the day, reduce stressed feelings, increase endurance, and increase mental alertness. This multipurpose medicinal plant (R. rosea), with adaptogenic properties that increase the body's nonspecific resistance and normalize functions, has been traditionally grown and used in Russia and Mongolia. Due to increasing consumer demands toward natural health products and the growing interests in the secondary metabolites of plants and their application in biotechnology and therapy, much focus has been put on the rose root and its medical properties. The rose root imparts normalizing influences on adverse physical, chemical, and biological disturbances but is otherwise innocuous. In India, the plant has been growing wild in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. The Defence Research and Development Organization in India has taken on the responsibilities of its conservation, as well as the development of multiple management practices and the development of health foods, supplements, and nutraceuticals in India. [source] Combating deceptive advertisements and labelling on food products , an exploratory study on the perceptions of teachersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 3 2003Wai-ling Theresa Lai Yeung People are becoming more health conscious nowadays, but most of them are not able to adopt a lifestyle with adequate physical exercise and a healthier eating pattern. Many attempt to compensate by taking ,health foods'. Despite the recent economic recession, the functional food market expands rapidly in Asian countries. Recent statistics indicate a huge increase in weight loss and functional food product advertising expenditure in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. In a massive survey conducted by the Hong Kong Consumer Council, it was found that 85% of the medicines, health food and therapies sampled contain questionable claims and misleading messages (Consumer Council, 1999). In fact, young people do not understand much about modern food processing, in particular those present in low energy and functional foods, and they know very little about the modern food marketing strategies. The situation is detrimental to consumer welfare especially to the younger generation. This study attempts to reflect critically on the implications of these issues for the health and well-being of young people in Hong Kong. It explores directions for designing relevant and effective education programmes to empower young people in understanding food advertising strategies and making informed decisions on food choice. The paper will begin with a critical review on the current situation in Hong Kong. An interview survey on preservice and in-service teachers' perception towards misleading food advertising and labelling will then be reported. The situations at schools will be defined and problems faced by teachers in providing relevant consumer education programmes to students will be identified. Finally, the study will look to the future, with a view to developing students' critical skills in evaluating claims offered in food advertisements. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||